New England Patriots Gameday: Another showdown in the Steel City
The New England Patriots (9-4) are set for a Steel City showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1) Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field.
Following a devastating last-second loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday, the New England Patriots travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in what is a big game for both teams.
Just a few weeks ago, this game was mounting up to be a showdown for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. However, the Steelers enter this game reeling and are fighting for their playoff lives.
They are also a team starved to stick one to the Patriots who have had their number over the past few seasons, including last season’s Week 15 thriller that saw Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski dominate the Steelers’ secondary in the final minutes of the game.
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Revenge will be a factor, but what makes this game also important for the Patriots is how they respond after the last-second meltdown in Miami. With the Kansas City Chiefs losing on Thursday night, the New England Patriots still have a shot at the No. 1 seed if they win out.
The toughest of their three remaining games is this matchup against the Steelers where the Patriots have one last chance in the regular season to prove they can put together a complete game on the road.
Against a desperate Pittsburgh Steelers team, the players know the atmosphere at Heinz Field is going to be rocking, terrible towels and all. Gronkowski, who had his greatest game as a human in last year’s Week15 meeting is looking forward to a great atmosphere.
"“I mean, it’s the same thing as every year,” Rob Gronkowski said, as transcribed by WEEI. “Every time we play them, every time we go there, it’s always like a four o’clock game, gets dark by 4:40, night atmosphere, and it’s always popping. It’s a football atmosphere. It’s a football town. It’s all about the Steelers. So, it’s going to be a great atmosphere. It’s going to be a lot of fun to play in, like it always is.”"
How to watch New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Location: Heinz Field; Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff: Sunday, December 16, 2018 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS (Check local listings)
Streaming: fuboTV
Week 15 Prediction:
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady always seem to get the upper hand on Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger and they know it.
That’s why Sunday’s AFC showdown is more of a mind game than a physical game. Can the Steelers change their defensive scheme to finally confuse Brady and take Rob Gronkowski out of the game? Can Roethlisberger play a flawless game?
Those are just some of the questions entering the game. For New England Patriots fans, one main takeaway from this game (win-or-lose) will be how the teams responds. The players are all saying the right things, but can they come into a game against a team fighting for their playoff lives and punch back, especially on the road.
Next. New England Patriots: Running back tandem key to success. dark
The answer will be yes. The Patriots will hold on to beat the Steelers in an offensive showdown 41-33 as New England’s running backs will play a major role offensively both on the ground and catching the ball out of the backfield.